5 Free Things to See in Prague

January 09, 2014

When you’re planning a vacation and you’re on a budget, you might feel like you will have to miss out on a lot of what a city has to offer. Well, you might have to purchase a ticket to visit the inside of the Prague Castle or tour St.Nicholas Church, but Prague’s beauty comes from much more than it’s historical monuments. Some great things in life come for free. Here are a few:

Old Town Square
The Old Town square is located at the center of Prague’s medieval Old Town. Both tourists and locals meet up in this gorgeous opening after walking through the small and winding cobble-stoned streets of the city. In the square you will find the Old Town Hall, built in 1338 and paid for by the duty levied on wine consumption. Have a wander around the square and take in your surroundings.

Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge, originally known as Stone Bridge, is a historic bridge that crosses the famous Vlatava river in Prague. Until 1841, it was the only way across the river, connecting Prague Castle to the Old Town and the surrounding areas. It is adorned with 30 statues of saints and lined with beautiful old-fashioned lanterns. The Charles Bridge is a favorite location for artists, who set up their canvases and expositions along the side of the bridge for locals and tourists to admire. Beware of the bridge in the middle of the day as it is packed with tourists taking pictures from all angles.

Parks and gardens
Prague has numerous beautiful parks and gardens, most of which are accessible cost-free. These include Wallenstein Gardens, Kampa Park, Prague Castle Gardens, and Petrin Park. Letna Park offers a beautiful view of the city. In the center of the park, the biggest statue of Stain in Europe once stood on what is now a huge metronome visible from the city center. Gardens are usually open from 10am to 6pm.

The Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter was born in the 13th century, when the Jews in Prague were forced to move out of their homes and into one restricted neighborhood. The Jewish Quarter later became known as the Prague Jewish Ghetto. Six synagogues exist, including the Old-New Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue, as well as the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery, considered the most noteworthy in Europe.

Astronomical Clock
One of the most interesting sights in the Old Town square is the clock tower, known as the Astronomical clock. Every hour, just before the hour from 8am to 8pm, the skeleton on the right opens the clock doors by pulling on a string, while looking at his other hand holding an hourglass. Then, the central windows open and the 12 apostles march across the clock. A cock crows to mark the end of the procession. The clock tower also features a calendar painted by the famous Czech painter Josef Manes.

Adam is a writer for the Eating Prague Food Tours — a new food and travel guide to the culinary scene in Prague. If you’re looking for interesting things to do, Prague tourism tips or suggestions on the best restaurants and other interesting things to see, check out the Eating Prague travel guide!